Holder for golf ball position marker and a marker therefore

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a holder for holding a golf ball position marker, the holder having a recess at one end in which the stem portion of the marker is received, the marker preferably being provided with a writing substance.

United States Patent Stainer Feb. 18, 1975 [54] HOLDER FOR GOLF BALL POSITION 1,365,190 1/1921 Perkins 1. 224/5 C UX MARKER AND A MARKER THEREFORE 1,406,179 2/1922 Ford 24/216 2,303,053 11/1942 Kneedler 24/230 SL Inventor: Arthur Thomas Stainer, Poole, 3,272,412 9/1966 Antonius '224/26 R England 3,556,364 l/l97l Maretka 273/32 A ,622,l57 l 1971 H' h 1 273 32 A [731 Asslgnee: Jack Smth (Gunmakers) 3,774,913 l1/1973 Di e r i 273/32 A Poole, Dorset, England [22] Filed: Apr. 1973 Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer [21] Appl. No.: 349,863

[52] [1.8. CI 206/234, 206/315, 273/32 A, 57 ABSTRACT 401/52 [51] f A63) 57/00 843k 29/00 865d 85/54 The invention relates to a holder for holding a golf [58] new of searchi 206/38 46 46 ball position marker, the holder having a recess at one 206/315, 234; 224/5 C, 26 R; 273/32 A end in which the stem portion of themarker is re- 201 20] 230 SL ceived, the marker preferably being provided with a writing substance. [56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 684,724 10/1901 Runner 24/905 HOLDER FOR GOLF BALL POSITION MARKER AND A MARKER THEREFORE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the game of golf it is usual for a player to carry with him on the golf course a golf ball position marker which is used to mark the position of his ball on a green, the ball being lifted from the green so as not to cause an obstruction whilst an opponent attempts to play his ball into the hole. Such markers usually consist of a thin disc provided on one side with a stem or like projection and they tend to be easily lost and when placed pocket a pocked containing golf tees they are difficult to locate, particularly with a gloved hand. The player also has to carry with him a pen or pencil for marking his score card and this too tends to be easily lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a holder for a golf ball position marker and to a marker for use with the holder.

An object of the invention is to provide a holder for holding a golf ball position marker so that the marker can be easily located in the pocket. Another object is to provide the marker with a writing substance so that when fitted to the holder it can be used for marking a score card.

A further objectis to provide a holder which can be used for removing stones or weeds from the green.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a holder for a golf ball position marker, comprising an elongated member having ends, a recess provided in one end for receiving and holding the stem portion of a marker.

According to the present invention in another aspect there is provided in combination a holder for a golf ball position marker and a marker therefore, wherein the holder comprises an elongated member provided with ends, a recess formed in one end and wherein said marker comprises a substantially fiat-head portion and a stem member provided on one side of the head portion, said stem member being received in the recess in the holder and being provided with a bulbous end to retain the marker in a detachable manner on the holder.

According to the present invention in yet another aspect there is provided a marker for marking the position of a golf ball, comprising a substantially flat head portion, a stem member projecting from one side of the head portion and a writing substance extending from a side edge of the head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then comprises the features hereafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim, the following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative however, of but ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the holder and marker,

FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken along the line 2-2 indicated on FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of a second embodiment of holder and marker,

FIG. 4' is an exploded longitudinal section taken along the line 4-4 indicated on FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is an end view of the holder shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,, and

FIG. 6 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of a further embodiment of holder.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The holder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an elongated member 10 which is curved in transverse cross-section and in plan view has a somewhat oval shape. The member 10 may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastics, metal or wood. Provided at one end of the member 10 is a longitudinally extending open ended slot 11 forming two longitudinally extending wall portions 12 on each side thereof and provided at the other end of the member 10 is a recess 11a. The member 10 is provided with a central longitudinally extending reinforcing rib 100. More than one rib 10a may be provided.

The golf ball position marker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of a substantially triangular flat head portion 1-3 provided on one side with a stern member 14 whose free end terminates in a bulbous portion 14a. In use of the marker, when the bulbous end portion 14a is inserted into the ground it tends to be gripped by the ground and the head portion 13 is prevented from lifting.

The stem portion 14 is located towards the rear of the head portion 13 of the marker in order to provide more space for the users fingers when marking the position of a ball than a marker having a centrally located stem.

Extending from the edge of the marker, preferably at an apex, is a writing substance 13a which preferably consists of a piece of pencil lead moulded in the head portion 13. The writing substance 13a may be replaceable, i.e., it may be pulled out of the marker and replaced by a new one. The writing substance may comprise a ball point writing device or a writing device havsubstance 13a can be used for writing then the end of the marker provided with the writing substance is positioned so that it extends from the end of the holder, in this position theholder can be gripped by the users fingers in the manner of the body of a pen or pencil. When the marker is fitted to the holder when not used for writing then the end of the head provided with the writing substance 13a is positioned so that its directed towards the rear of the holder. The writing substance is then protected a certain amount by the holder.

By designing the marker to be slightly shorter in its distance from its underside to the upper part of the bulbous portion 14a than the depth of the holder l0 ensures that the marker is resiliently held on the holder and if the lower side of the closed end of the slot 11 is countersunk the bulbous end portion 14a can seat therein in a positive manner.

The holder prevents the marker becoming lost in a pocket and is easily located by hand, even a gloved hand. The holder can also serve as a tool for levelling out ball pitch marks on a green of a golf course and the rear end 11a can be used as a tine for removing a weed from the green.

The holder shown in FIGS. 3 to comprises an elongated member 15 which is curved in transverse crosssection. It again may be formed of any suitable material such as plastics, metal or wood. Provided at one end of the member 15 is a longitudinally extending open ended slot 16. On the concave side of the member 15 and located on each side of the slot 16 are two flat surfaces 17. The flat surfaces 17 are intersected by two flat spaced apart longitudinally extending wall portions 18. The member 15 is provided with three longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs 19 and at its rear end is provided with a recess 20.

The golf ball position marker shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 consists of a flat head portion 21 having two parallel side edge portions 22 and a pointed end provided with a writing substance 23 which preferably consists of a pencil lead moulded with the head portion 21. The head portion 21 is provided on its underside with a stem portion 24 which is preferably square in transverse cross-section, the sides of the stem portion 24 being of a width corresponding to the width of the slot 16. The end of the stem portion 24 terminates in a bulbous end 25.

The marker is fitted to the holder 15 by passing the stem portion 24 along the slot 16 with the writing substance 23 directed to the rear of the holder if it is not to be used for writing or with the writing substance 23 directed away from the holder if it is to be used for writing. The underside of the head portion 21 engages with the flat surfaces 17 and the two parallel side edge portions 22 engage with the wall portions 18 to positively locate and hold the marker in position on the holder.

The holder shown in FIG. 6 comprises a sheath member 26 formed of any suitable material such as plastics, leather or textile material. Secured to the sheath member 26 by a pivot 27 is a blade 28 having a pronged end 29. The blade 28 can be rotated about the axis of the pivot 27 from an open position as shown to a position in which the pronged end 29 is located within the sheath member 26. The blade 28 can be formed of plastics material or metal and can be usedas a tool for levelling out ball pitch marks and as a tine.

The sheath member 26 has an end portion 30 provided with a slot or hole 31 for receiving the stem portion of a marker 32, the outer end of the stem portion of the marker 32 being bulbous. The marker 32 can be provided with a writing substance. Means may be provided for holding the blade 28 in its sheathed position.

In all of the embodiments described the head portion of the marker may be circular.

The holders can be used for holding markers not provided with a writing substance and they may be arranged to hold more than one marker and also to hold a tee or tees and/or a pencil.

The stem or body of the marker may be magnetized and the holder may be formed of metal. Alternatively the holder may be magnetized and the marker formed of metal.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In combination a holder fora golf ball position marker and a marker therefore, wherein the holder comprises an elongated member provided with ends, a recess formed in one end and wherein said maraker comprises a substantially flat head portion and a stem member provided on one side of the head portion, said stem member being received in the recess in the holder, said marker having means to retain the marker in a detachable manner on the holder, and wherein the head portion of the marker is'provided with a writing means extending from a side edge thereof.

2. In combination a holder for a golf ball position marker and a marker therefore, wherein the holder comprises an elongated member provided with ends, a recess formed in one end and wherein said marker comprises a substantially flat head portion and a stem member provided on one side of the head portion, said stem member being received in the recess in the holder and being provided with a bulbous end to retain the marker in a detachable manner on the holder, and wherein the head portion of the marker is provided with a replaceable writing member extending from a side edge thereof.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,866,749 Dated February 18, 1975 Inventor(s) Arthur Thomas Stainer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the first page between [21] and [52] insert --[30] Foreign Application Priority Data April 10, 1972 United Kingdom 16426/72" vigma-ci and sealed this 1st clay of July 1275.

{3 2.1L Attest:

C. I-"LkRSl L-LLL DANE RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks Attesti ng Officer 

1. In combination a holder for a golf ball position marker and a marker therefore, wherein the holder comprises an elongated member provided with ends, a recess formed in one end and wherein said maraker comprises a substantially flat head portion and a stem member provided on one side of the head portion, said stem member being received in the recess in the holder, said marker having means to retain the marker in a detachable manner on the holder, and wherein the head portion of the marker is provided with a writing means extending from a side edge thereof.
 2. In combination a holder for a golf ball position marker and a marker therefore, wherein the holder comprises an elongated member provided with ends, a recess formed in one end and wherein said marker comprises a substantially flat head portion and a stem member provided on one side of the head portion, said stem member being received in the recess in the holder and being provided with a bulbous end to retain the marker in a detachable manner on the holder, and wherein the head portion of the marker is provided with a replaceable writing member extending from a side edge thereof. 